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2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C Review
The CFMOTO 450CL-C puts a bobber spin on the 449cc parallel-Twin found in three other CFMOTO models. (Photos by Killboy)
The CFMOTO 450CL-C cruiser is new to the scene for 2025, but it comes to the moto playground equipped with some experience behind it. Its 449cc parallel-Twin can also be found in the 450SS sportbike, the 450NK naked bike, and the Ibex 450 adventure bike, and we’ve enjoyed the platform in each of these iterations. That said, the CL-C brings a riding experience and personality all its own, stepping out from its siblings’ shadows.
Our test bike was fitted with several accessories: saddlebags, engine guard, headlight grille, small windscreen, and passenger backrest (see price list below).
The most obvious difference between the CL-C and the other CFMOTO 450s is its cruiser stance and styling. It’s fitting that I tested this bike at and around the Fontana Dam in Graham County, North Carolina, as that’s the same place where I tested Triumph’s Bonneville Bobber a couple years ago. While these bikes differ significantly in terms of displacement (by 751cc) and price (by $8K), many of the 450CL-C’s design elements reminded me of the Triumph. And that’s not a complaint: The Bobber has an undeniable cool factor.
The CL-C’s 449cc parallel-Twin can also be found in CFMOTO’s Ibex 450 adventure bike, 450SS sportbike, and 450NK naked bike.
The CL-C looks the part with its round and bright LED headlight, fat tires, machined cylinder fins, bar-end mirrors, analog-style round TFT display, and blacked-out components. Even the fuel cap looks like it could’ve been taken directly from Triumph. The rear section isn’t as svelte as the Triumph, but it all works together to create a good-looking little cruiser. My test bike was fitted with several accesories, including saddlebags, an engine guard, a headlight grille, a small windscreen, and a passenger backrest (see price list below) – all of which might enhance or detract from its styling depending on your personal preference. The saddlebags were especially useful for my purposes.
The CL-C handles well and is easy to steer, but rolling over bumps is harsh.
GEAR UP
Helmet: SMK Gullwing
Jacket: Speed and Strength Daydream
Airbag Vest: Alpinestars Tech-Air 5
Gloves: Speed and Strength Starstruck
Pants: Rev’It Marley Ladies SK Jeans
Boots: Highway 21 Axle Leather Waterproof
Also befitting a bobber-inspired cruiser in this category, the CL-C is friendly to small riders. It has a low seat height of 27 inches, and its claimed 399 lb wet weight is well-balanced, making it easy to manage.
The round TFT screen is bright and easy to read, and the analog design suits the bike’s style.
The CL-C’s footpegs are midmount, and the handlebar is mounted a bit low compared to many cruisers. The well-padded seat is sculpted to hug your bottom, but the seating position requires the rider to sit with their weight on their tailbone. This seating position is perfectly comfortable for around-town riding and gives the rider a feeling of control over the bike, but it causes some soreness after a couple hours of seat time. The seat doesn’t offer much extra room to move around to relieve pressure points.
The rider triangle creates a laid-back sitting position.
Also detracting from long-range comfort is the suspension. The CL-C features a 37mm inverted fork and a central monoshock, neither of which is adjustable. Cruising around country roads at 45 mph, the suspension worked well to soak up inconsistencies in the road and provide good feedback when dipping into corners, but it became harsh when rolling over bumps at highway speeds.
The round headlight fits well with the bike’s style and projects plenty of light when riding at night.
My complaints regarding comfort can be summed up: This is not a touring machine. It’s not meant to eat up miles of interstate or to ride cross-country in comfort. Instead, find the backroads route, cruise through some small towns on your way, stop to enjoy lunch at a scenic overlook. Your butt and your spirit will thank you for it.
Taking the time to enjoy the view on this ride below Fontana Dam in Graham County, North Carolina.
The engine offered everything I wanted and more. It produces a throaty and mean sound that always makes me excited to twist the throttle but isn’t too loud, and it provides a good combination between peppy punch and predictable control. In cruiser tune, it makes a claimed 40 hp at 8,000 rpm and 30 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm, producing less horsepower than the other CFMOTO 450s and slightly more torque than the 450SS and 450NK.
The accessory headlight grille and small and tinted windshield complement the bobber styling.
While riding about 200 miles on the interstate from my home to Fontana Dam, I always had power on tap to make a quick pass or get away from bunched-up traffic. The machine will easily cruise at 80 mph with more grunt left to give and with minimal vibration, although the engine gets warm on the ankles after a time. It has a 6-speed transmission, a slip/assist clutch, and unique to the CL-C, a Gates belt final drive, removing the need for chain maintenance.
Brakes are provided by J.Juan, with a 4-piston caliper and 320mm front disc and a single-piston caliper with a 240mm rear disc. The brakes offer smooth progression between light and hard braking, although in an emergency-brake situation, you’ll have to exert some effort to slow the bike down quickly. Luckily, there’s ABS to back you up should you need it. I always appreciate a bike with adjustable levers, and the CL-C has them, so I was able to pull the levers in for easy reach.
With weight kept low and a seat height of 27 inches, the CL-C is a good option for smaller riders.
Out of the accessories included on my test bike, I found the saddlebags the most useful. They are compact enough to look right on the small bike but large enough to pack a change of clothes and some toiletries for a weekend trip. The carry handles and quick-release feature made them especially easy to pack into and out of my cabin, and they include a rain cover and attachable shoulder straps. The clasp closure is a bit tricky to get used to and feels stiff at first, but it’s easy to use once you’ve opened and closed the bags a few times.
The accessory windscreen is small, but any wind protection is helpful on a bike like this. While I don’t ride with passengers, the passenger backrest provided a nice spot to latch down my rolled-up rainsuit, and the engine guard provides some reassurance in case of a tip over.
I found the red-and-silver tank to be an appealing color option for this cruiser. CFMOTO also offers the CL-C with a black tank.
Out on the twisty roads near the Fontana Dam, the CL-C was happy to join the game amidst both smaller and much larger bikes on the road. What it lacks in touring comfort it makes up for in an engaging, no-frills riding experience. Its predictable but quick power delivery was a confidence-booster. In these circumstances, as opposed to eating up interstate miles, the seating position worked well to put me in control of the ride.
While I spent most of my time in the Fontana area riding for fun, I’ve also had the CL-C at home for a few weeks, and it’s made a good errand-runner for quicks bops to town. It’s easy enough to ride and manage that it isn’t a hassle to pull out of the garage. If you’re considering the CL-C for commuting purposes, the bike’s fuel mileage gets a check in the “pros” column. Its tank holds 3.2 gallons, and I averaged 61.9 mpg, giving me a range of 198 miles per tank.
My test bike included accessory saddlebags and a passenger backrest. The bags have a quick-release lever on the back to make them easy to take off the bike.
Competition for the CFMOTO 450CL-C includes bikes like the Honda Rebel 500 (the established go-to recommendation for many beginner riders) and the Kawasaki Eliminator (new in 2024 and based on the Ninja 400). Both are great options and are a little sportier in their riding character than the CL-C. They also have in common more modern aesthetics and a starting price of $6,499 without ABS. Compare that to the CFMOTO 450CL-C with a starting price of $5,799 with standard ABS and with a classic-cool style, and I suspect many shoppers within this category may shift their eyes toward the CFMOTO.
2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C
2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C Specs
Base Price: $5,799
Price As Tested: $6,729 (accessories list below)
Website: CFMOTOusa.com
Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 449cc
Bore x Stroke: 72.0 x 55.2mm
Horsepower: 40 hp @ 8,000 rpm (factory claim)
Torque: 30 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (factory claim)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch
Final Drive: Belt
Wheelbase: 58.5 in.
Rake/Trail: 28 degrees/4.25 in.
Seat Height: 27 in.
Wet Weight: 399 lb
Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gal.
Accessories List
Engine Guard: $99.99
Headlight Guard: $79.99
Passenger Backrest: $79.99
Radiator Guard: $99.99
Side Bag Brackets: $99.99
Side Bags, Leather: $299.99
Skidplate: $79.99
Windshield, Tinted: $89.99
TOTAL: $929.92
SIDEBAR: Killboy Cabins at Fontana Village Resort
Killboy cabins at Fontana Village include a front porch and firepit for relaxing with your riding buddies in the evening.
On this trip to Graham County, I stayed at Fontana Village Resort, located close to the Fontana Dam and great motorcycling roads like Moonshiner 28, the Tail of the Dragon, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foothills Parkway, and others. The resort is in the process of building 10 cabins in collaboration with Killboy, the photography company founded by Darryl and Lori Cannon in 2001 that captures legendary photos daily on Tail of the Dragon in Deal’s Gap. Darryl is also the photographer for this review and many other Rider reviews.
The cabins can sleep up to six people, with enough space for everyone to hang out in the living room and kitchen area.
Including everything you’d need for a trip with friends or family, the cabin has three full bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a well-stocked kitchen (sink, stove, oven, refrigerator, pots and pans, coffee pot, etc.), a living room, and a dining table. Outside, the cabin includes a front porch, a private driveway, and a private firepit. Some of Killboy’s best photography adorns the walls of each room, and it includes motorsport-friendly features like designated racks to hang your riding gear. Two cabins are completed so far, with the other eight to be added as the resort continues renovations.
If a Killboy cabin is more space than you need, the resort offers plenty of other accommodation options. Originally serving as a camp for laborers constructing the Fontana Dam, the resort now includes Quill’s Canteen & Bar (excellent pizza and burgers, as well as local dishes), a general store, the Dam Garage gas station, an arcade room, a pool and lazy river, an ice cream parlor, minigolf, and more. Visit FontanaVillage.com to find more information and book your stay.
The post 2025 CFMOTO 450CL-C Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.
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